Yorkshire sees the closure of 147 hotels in last decade

The study, by Melvin Gold Consulting, found that Yorkshire mirrored the national trend. with small hotels accounting for a large number of the closures, as consumer tastes change.

According to the survey, 147 hotels have closed in Yorkshire over the last decade, with the loss of 2,115 rooms.

Mr Gold stressed that, overall, the number of hotel rooms has increased in Yorkshire, although they have been in much larger hotels.

He told the Yorkshire Post: “In the same period (2003-2012) there were 6,443 new rooms in the Yorkshire and Humber region in 62 hotels. The new ones were larger and more typically branded, whereas the closures were typically smaller and independent.”

According to Mr Gold, traditional seaside resorts have suffered the largest number of room closures. Cornwall, Blackpool, Torbay, Bournemouth, the Isle of Wight, and The Channel Islands, all suffered high levels of closures.

Scarborough is the only Yorkshire resort to feature on Mr Gold’s list of local authority areas with more than 400 room closures over the last decade. Altogether, Scarborough has lost 556 rooms over the last 10 years, with 36 closures.

Mr Gold said yesterday: “The hotel industry in the British Isles is rapidly changing and it is very exciting to be part of such a dynamic sector that is adapting to its future. The transition of the UK hotel industry that is in progress is further evidenced by our research.

“We have found hotels changing use to residential accommodation, care homes, and student accommodation or being demolished to facilitate new development.

“It is important to note that it does not herald the end of the independent hotel, provided they are well-invested and market focused.

“I still expect them to comprise up to 40 per cent of the future UK hotel market, but the majority of UK hotels will be branded within the next decade.

“This process of change reflects the requirements of the 21st Century consumer and also creates increased employment opportunities as the supply-base moves towards larger, branded hotels. From 2003 to the end of 2013, 103,612 new hotel rooms have opened in the UK.

“Even taking account of closures, I expect continued growth and the UK hotel industry to have more than 850,000 rooms by 2030.”